Here is Ishq.Uk’s ultimate guide that outlines 7 ways to shop ethically:
This means less trees cut down, less energy used in manufacturing and transportation as well as fewer chemicals used in processing raw materials. In addition, using recycled goods means that less landfill space is needed for waste disposal - saving valuable resources for future generations.
From the way your products are produced to the materials they're made from, there are countless ways to make sure your purchases are helping the planet and its people.
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4. Know Your Terms
First things first, make sure you know what "ethical" means in this context. It's not just about whether or not a product is made in harsh working conditions - it also includes how it was made, its environmental impact, and whether or not it was sourced from conflict areas or other regions with political instability. There are plenty of resources available on the internet for learning more about these issues.
5. Look for Labels
The best way to know if something is ethical is to look for labels. Look at the back of packages or on their packaging material itself (like paper tags). If they don't have any labels at all telling you where they were made, or what materials they were made from, then chances are pretty good that they are not created with sustainability in mind.
6. Buy local.
When you buy locally made products, you're supporting a local economy and cutting down on transportation costs and carbon emissions. Local businesses also tend to have higher labor standards than global brands, so you're helping workers earn fair wages and working conditions.
When you buy a product made in your city or state, you're supporting businesses that are close to home. You'll also reduce transportation costs and emissions associated with shipping goods across long distances.
7. Support fair trade brands
Fair trade certification ensures that workers are paid fairly for their work, treated with respect, and have access to education and benefits like health care or housing assistance. It also ensures that the materials used in production come from sustainable sources. This includes recycled plastic, ensures that there is no environmental harm through extraction or processing techniques like deforestation. Fair trade certification also mitigates against strip mining for minerals like gold or iron ore processing which can pollute local waterways with heavy metals or carcinogens such as cadmium or chromium which causes lung cancer if inhaled over long periods of time.
Look for fair trade items. Many companies sell fair trade products, which means they were made by workers who were paid fairly and treated humanely while they were working on those products. This means that you'll be supporting local economies as well as helping make sure that everyone involved in making your product has a safe workplace and fair wages.
Conclusion
People are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases, as well as their impact on people's lives around the world. Play your part by reading labels or doing some research online before you buy anything new. It’s important to know exactly what kind of materials went into creating each object. It's important to consider how your purchases affect the environment, local economies, and the people who work in this industry.
For ethical purchases within the homeware industry, do consider Ishq.Uk - we sell 100% handmade goods that are sustainably sourced from across the Indian Subcontinent.